René Goscinny & Albert Uderzo — Asterix and the Golden Sickle — First UK Edition, 1975

René Goscinny & Albert Uderzo — Asterix and the Golden Sickle — First UK Edition, 1975

GOSCINNY, René; UDERZO, Albert.
Asterix and the Golden Sickle.
London and Leicester: Hodder and Stoughton Children’s Books, 1975. First UK edition. Quarto. Illustrated throughout in colour. Original pictorial laminated boards.

Description

A particularly bright first UK edition of Asterix and the Golden Sickle, published in 1975 and one of the earliest English-language editions of this classic Asterix adventure.

Originally published in French as La Serpe d’Or, the story follows Asterix and Obelix on a journey to Lutetia, the Roman city that would become Paris, in search of a new golden sickle for the village druid, Getafix. Their apparently straightforward mission soon develops into an investigation involving black-market trading, criminal gangs and corruption, giving René Goscinny ample opportunity for satire of city life, bureaucracy and commerce.

The book is an important early title in the Asterix sequence, originating from the formative period in which Goscinny and Uderzo were establishing the recurring characters, settings and comic structure that would define the series. The plot already displays many of the hallmarks of later Asterix adventures: rapid verbal comedy, historical parody, absurd bureaucracy and the contrast between the small Gallic village and the wider Roman world.

The English translation is by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge, whose adaptations played a major role in establishing Asterix with British readers. Their translations are particularly admired for re-creating Goscinny’s wordplay, puns and character names rather than following the French text mechanically.

Albert Uderzo’s artwork is reproduced throughout in full colour. The front board shows Asterix and Obelix approaching Lutetia beneath the image of the coveted golden sickle, while the rear board carries the familiar image of Asterix following Obelix beneath his menhir, listing the previously published British titles.

The title-page gives the imprint Hodder and Stoughton, while the copyright page records the English-language edition as copyright 1975 Hodder and Stoughton Ltd and states “First published in Great Britain 1975.” It also identifies the volume as the cased edition, ISBN 0 340 20209 2.

A desirable first British edition of an important early Asterix title, especially attractive in this clean and well-preserved condition.

Condition

Near fine. The original pictorial laminated boards are bright and clean, with only minor marks and slight creasing. The binding remains tight and firm. Internally, the pages are very nice and clean throughout, with the colour illustrations remaining fresh and vibrant.

A near fine, bright and attractive copy.

Bibliographical Details

Authors: René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo
Illustrator: Albert Uderzo
Title: Asterix and the Golden Sickle
Original French Title: La Serpe d’Or
Translator: Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton Children’s Books
Place of Publication: London and Leicester
Date: 1975
Edition: First UK edition
Format: Quarto
Illustration: Illustrated throughout in colour
Binding: Original pictorial laminated boards
Issue: Cased edition
ISBN: 0 340 20209 2
Condition: Near fine

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